published: 2006-06-09 |
The largest-ever pilgrimage to the Shrine since its dedicationEnd of May celebraton in Ibadan, Nigeria |
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NIGERIA, Charles N. Ozioko. This year’s month of May was for the entire community and her friends here "the month of gathering in the barn". (A barn is a special storage facility in Africa for preserving treasures but especially seeds for the next planting season). From the evening of the 30 of April when this theme was given at the celebration of the opening of May devotion until the end of May it became a key motivation as both the brothers and the people residing around strove to outdo each other in gathering as many seeds (contributions) as possible from daily life, little sacrifices, visits to the Shrine and in sending ‘text’messages to the Blessed Mother. Hence, it did not come as a surprise when for the celebration of the end of May devotion the Schoenstatt Fathers witnessed the largest gathering of people around the Shrine at a time, second only to the day of the Shrine’s inauguration. The crowd was overwhelming, the joy glaring and radiating and the graces flowing. From the moment the Fathers learnt that the entire members of the Parish, St. Rita’s, (the parish closest to the Shrine) were coming to end the May devotion in the Shrine, they knew we would not expect the least. Together with their Parish Priest they made it a pilgrimage. They prayed and sang in a rosary procession from the Parish to the Shrine. This is the first official pilgrimage of the parish since they became one at the beginning of this year. As they arrived at the Shrine they were greeted and warmly welcomed by the Mother Thrice Admirable. This was symbolised by the ringing of the bell of the Shrine. A choir competion in honor of MaryThey joined in with the members of the Fathers’ community and their immediate neighbours in singing Marian hymns and praising God for giving this day. The presence of the Seminary Choir from Ss Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija (the Seminary of the Province) added a special colour to the celebration. There were many presentations from different choirs. The Seminarians sang with angelic voices in honour of our Mother. So also did the parish choir. The members of the Legion of Mary of the out-station of the Parish, though with only six people, moved the crowd more than all the others. The presentations were followed by a reading of the Visitation account (Lk. 1:39-56). Fr Peter Locher spoke of what it means to be on the way. Our BlessedMother was on the way to visit Elizabeth. The members of the Parish were on the way to visit our Mother in her home (the Shrine). Our Blessed Mother was with her cousin. We have come to be with our Mother. She sends us out to go and tell the others what we experienced while we were with her. We are to become her missionaries in bringing her to our family and to other families. The celebration was concluded with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, adoration and benediction. As the dusk was closing in, with lighted candles, all sang the Ave…The scenario was amazing. Schoenstatt youth increases in numberTo mark the end of the May 31st celebration, a young girl sealed the covenant of love with our mother in the shrine. Four other young boys also sealed the covenant of love with our mother in the shrine after the Pentecost mass. Five of these young students have joined the growing Schoenstatt youth in Nigeria. |
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